◎Hold My Hand, and I’ll Give You Lu Lingchan◎

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s mind buzzed as she quickly stepped away from this person, instinctively dropping to one knee, momentarily uncertain whether she should call out his title.

Seeing Luo Wanqing kneel, everyone sensed something was wrong and fell silent.

“What’s happening?”

Zheng Biyue’s voice came from nearby. Hearing her voice, all the Zheng family members made way for her to approach Luo Wanqing and the young man.

Zheng Biyue looked them both over, seeing Luo Wanqing kneeling, and her gaze toward the young man immediately became cautious as she respectfully said: “May I ask who you are?”

The young man didn’t answer. He turned to glance at Luo Wanqing, holding the lotus flower in one hand while helping her up with the other.

Seeing this, Zhou Ying’s eyes widened. She instantly raised her hand forward, her blade suddenly slicing toward the young man’s mask. Simultaneously, Luo Wanqing alertly struck out, grabbing Zhou Ying’s throat and hurling her violently into the lake!

This strike was like thunder—fast and vicious. Only then did everyone realize this was “Liu Xiniang’s” true strength.

But before they could reproach her, they heard the young man’s mask crack with a “snap” and fall.

Everyone was drawn to that person’s face, then stood frozen in shock.

It was a somewhat pale face.

Phoenix eyes, thin lips, a high-bridged nose carved like jade, with a temperament that was aloof and noble.

He had been helping Luo Wanqing when the sudden change occurred. When his mask fell, he looked up at Zheng Biyue.

His eyes were clear and cold, his bearing naturally composed and noble from his prestigious family background, yet with an additional sharpness of command and killing intent that ordinary noble children lacked, silencing everyone present.

Zheng Biyue was the first to react, hastily bowing: “Not knowing Inspector Xie was visiting today, we failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive us.”

“I’m not here on official business, no need for official titles.” Xie Heng’s gaze swept over Zhou Ying struggling in the lake, then settled on Zheng Biyue: “Miss Zheng has a conflict with my Department’s Inspector?”

“Not me, but my cousin. Just a small quarrel between young ladies,” hearing this inquiry, Zheng Biyue smiled neither humbly nor arrogantly, turning to look meaningfully at Luo Wanqing: “Miss Liu was somewhat impulsive, so I mediated.”

“Mediated?”

Xie Heng stared at Zheng Biyue, who immediately understood his meaning. She remained silent, seeming to weigh her options.

After a long while, she chuckled lightly and raised her hand: “Yunrong, apologize.”

Hearing this, Zheng Yunrong beside her showed some grievance but still came forward with reddened eyes to bow: “Miss Liu, I’m sorry.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing felt somewhat embarrassed. She hadn’t intended to bully anyone; she just wanted to cause a distraction to get Xing Ling and the others into the back courtyard.

Now that her goal was achieved, she didn’t want to continue making trouble. She raised her hands in salute without saying much.

Xie Heng glanced at her, seeming to understand her intention, and didn’t pursue the matter further.

Seeing Xie Heng’s silence, Zheng Biyue knew he was satisfied and relaxed, only saying: “Young Master… Seventh Young Master Xie is also attending the Qinyın Festival today?”

“Mm.”

Xie Heng responded faintly. Zheng Biyue smiled: “The Seventh Young Master once won consecutive championships and hasn’t attended for many years. Your presence today brings great honor to the Zheng mansion. The banquet is about to begin—would Seventh Young Master like to take the seat of honor?”

“Very well.”

Xie Heng nodded. After all her words, earning only this single word, Zheng Biyue’s expression stiffened, but she quickly recovered and gestured: “Seventh Young Master, please.”

Xie Heng nodded and followed Zheng Biyue.

In his white, wide-sleeved robes with jade hairpin half-binding his hair, perhaps due to growing up at the Dao Sect in his youth, his every movement carried an ethereal quality. Now holding the lotus flower as he walked with composure, he seemed even more like a banished immortal.

Luo Wanqing’s gaze quickly swept over the lotus flower in his hand, feeling somewhat guilty.

Earlier, she had only thought to make a bigger commotion, so she casually threw that flower. Now knowing it was Xie Heng, she was so embarrassed she wanted to dig a hole and hide.

She didn’t dare look much, only lowered her head and followed Xie Heng forward.

After two steps, from the corner of her eye she spotted Wang Yunzhi standing not far away, and couldn’t help taking another look. She saw her standing together with Li Guiyu, coldly observing them.

Seeing her with Li Guiyu, Luo Wanqing thought for a moment and understood Wang Yunzhi’s purpose for coming.

Having previously encountered Wang Yunzhi at the Dark Pavilion, it was clear she wasn’t an ordinary sheltered young lady—she probably helped the Wang family handle some matters secretly.

If Li Guiyu was here today to rescue Lu Lingchan, Wang Yunzhi should be his accomplice.

Thinking this, Luo Wanqing followed Xie Heng and Zheng Biyue forward into another courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, Luo Wanqing immediately saw Qingya and Zhuque standing at the entrance. Seeing Xie Heng, they immediately approached, respectfully saying: “Young Master, everything is arranged.”

Xie Heng nodded, glanced back at Luo Wanqing, thought briefly, then only said: “Do as you please.”

With that, he led Qingya and Zhuque, following a servant girl, inside.

Luo Wanqing saw Xie Heng off before entering the courtyard.

This courtyard had a winding water channel in the center. Besides the host Zheng Biyue and honored guest Xie Heng taking the high seats, everyone entering first went to wooden boxes to blindly draw wooden plaques, then sat in their assigned positions according to the plaques’ order.

Luo Wanqing randomly drew a position somewhat toward the front, leaving her somewhat speechless—being so forward, how would she leave her seat later?

But having drawn it, she could only sit down. After sitting, Zheng mansion servants brought her qin and placed it beside her.

Soon after, someone came to sit nearby.

The water channel had tables for two, with small distances between tables and a small square table between the two people. The person beside her lifted their robe hem and knelt.

Luo Wanqing turned to look at him. Li Guiyu also looked over, smiling gently: “What a coincidence.”

Luo Wanqing remained silent, watching as servants placed a pipa beside Li Guiyu.

After a while, Wang Yunzhi also came over, sitting next to Li Guiyu.

Seeing this seating arrangement, Luo Wanqing understood they had deliberately drawn specific plaques to sit here, probably to watch her. She smiled mockingly: “Truly coincidental.”

With that, she looked away and confirmed that Li Guiyu was indeed here today on the Empress’s behalf, planning to secretly spirit Lu Lingchan away.

Now that Xing Ling and others had entered the back courtyard, there was no guarantee Li Guiyu’s people hadn’t also entered. With Zheng Jinxin’s help, Li Guiyu’s people would certainly be more successful. If Xing Ling and the others were proceeding smoothly, they had probably already encountered Lu Lingchan and come face to face with Li Guiyu’s people.

She didn’t know how many people Li Guiyu had brought or what their skills were like.

Thinking this, Luo Wanqing felt somewhat uncertain.

People around were still gradually taking their seats. As Luo Wanqing was lost in thought, she heard Li Guiyu suddenly say, “Why did you bring a qin?”

“What are you talking about?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing turned, feigning confusion.

As people continued settling in, Li Guiyu called gently: “Inspector Liu.”

With that, Li Guiyu directed his gaze to the qin beside her, meaningfully asking: “Qin—can you play it?”

“Your Highness jests,” Luo Wanqing smiled, “since I brought a qin, naturally I can play it.”

“Why not bring a pipa?” Li Guiyu’s smile didn’t reach his eyes: “Having learned so many things from my young lady, don’t you know she excelled at the pipa?”

“Your Highness, no longer detests me learning from Miss Luo?”

Luo Wanqing asked curiously.

Li Guiyu’s smile faded somewhat, only quietly watching her: “If you could learn to be the same…”

He spoke but didn’t continue.

Luo Wanqing waited for his next words, but he thought for a long time, seeming not to know what the final result would be.

What if she could learn to be the same?

He had been able to exile the real Luo Wanqing to Lingnan back then—if this truly was her, would he kill her again now?

This thought brought tearing pain to his heart, ripping all the way through.

He dared not think further, suddenly feeling timid. Unconsciously touching the pipa beside him, he looked away and only said, “Martial arts cannot be learned overnight. Your skills are quite good.”

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised by his sudden loss of composure. After thinking, she only nodded: “Thank you.”

With that, Luo Wanqing looked away and gazed forward.

By now, almost everyone was seated, and people occasionally glanced toward the high platform, whispering.

Luo Wanqing vaguely heard the address “Seventh Young Master Xie” and followed others’ gazes to the high platform, seeing a figure kneeling behind light gauze. Though she couldn’t see his face, from his posture alone, Luo Wanqing knew it was Xie Heng.

The main seat beside him was still empty. Luo Wanqing looked around and saw Zheng Biyue below the platform, instructing servants.

She happened to be looking at her when Luo Wanqing turned back, and their gazes collided. Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised. Zheng Biyue’s movements paused slightly before she looked away, said a few more words to the servant beside her, then turned and left toward the high seat.

Luo Wanqing watched that servant hurry away and frowned.

Zheng Biyue stepped up to the main seat, representing the host family to preside. After some pleasantries, she explained the rules to everyone.

“Today, we gather as friends through music, honoring those with superior skills. Let’s first enjoy the flowing cups game. Wherever the wine stops, that person performs. After playing, if you receive applause, you may leave or stay as you wish. If you don’t receive applause, you can only leave. How does that sound?”

Everyone understood the Qinyın Festival rules, and Luo Wanqing had roughly learned them beforehand, so Zheng Biyue didn’t need to elaborate.

After the banquet began, servants would place wine cups in the water channel while someone blindfolded would beat drums. When the drumming stopped, whoever was near the cup would perform.

After performing, the player could choose to leave or stay. If they left, many people outside who wanted to enter but hadn’t had the chance could come in as replacements.

“Seventh Young Master Xie,” Zheng Biyue said, turning toward the young man behind the gauze with a smile, “your qin skills are extraordinary—competing with us would be too unfair. Would you beat the drums today?”

“Very well.”

The noble voice came from behind the gauze, then Qingya rose to roll up the curtain, revealing the figure sitting on the cushion.

Luo Wanqing looked up to see servants bringing drums to the high platform, with Zhuque placing the drum before Xie Heng. Xie Heng sat cross-legged in white robes with soaring cranes embroidered on them, elegant and refined.

The lotus flower she had thrown to him was still placed beside him, particularly eye-catching among the flowers. Luo Wanqing stared at that lotus flower, momentarily surprised.

Seeming to sense her gaze, Xie Heng looked up at her through the crowd. Seeing her shocked expression, he slightly curved his lips.

Luo Wanqing froze, then heard someone say loudly: “Seventh Brother, did you just smile?”

The speaker was Xie Yushu, a notoriously rakish young master from the Xie family. He had always avoided court politics, so only someone like him would address Xie Heng so casually now.

Xie Heng glanced at him and said flatly: “You saw wrong.”

With that, he took the blindfold and drumsticks.

Li Guiyu, nearby, looked thoughtfully at the two of them, lightly stroking the pipa beside him without saying anything.

Xie Heng blindfolded himself, the banquet officially began, and Luo Wanqing watched Zheng Biyue place cups in the water channel. Moments later, drumming began.

Though it was merely accompanying drumbeats, the sound immediately seemed to split heaven and earth, extremely wild, shaking people’s hearts and tightening their heartstrings.

The dense drumbeats hammered at people’s hearts as they watched cups circle the channel without stopping, until suddenly the sound ceased.

Everyone looked up to see that the cup had completed a circle and stopped before Xie Yushu at the very beginning.

Seeing this position, Luo Wanqing wanted to laugh. Xie Yushu’s eyes widened as he immediately looked up: “Xie Qi, did you do that on purpose?!”

Xie Heng tilted his head as if unaware, only asking: “Who is it?”

Xie Yushu sighed helplessly, stood up amid everyone’s gaze, swept his sleeves, and mounted the high platform, having a qin brought up.

Having to leave at the very beginning naturally displeased him. He grumbled while everyone laughed.

Xie Yushu called for everyone’s attention, performed a piece steadily, then left with great regret.

After several rounds like this, Luo Wanqing listened to the rising and falling drumbeats while tapping the table, constantly thinking about Xing Ling’s situation.

It had been so long—Xing Ling should have found the person by now. She wondered what the situation was.

She should find a chance to leave. Now that the atmosphere had livened up, as long as she went on stage and played badly enough to be jeered off, she could leave.

But after leaving, how could she quietly reach the back courtyard?

As she thought aimlessly, she unconsciously looked up toward the high platform.

Xie Heng was beating the drums blindfolded.

With his eyes covered, he seemed less coldly unapproachable. His sleeves slid down with his drumming motions, more or less revealing his arms.

His skin was pale but not weak—his arms were strong. When drumming, his posture was bold and unrestrained.

Luo Wanqing had never seen Xie Heng like this and couldn’t help staring for a moment.

After a while, she suddenly heard a somewhat restrained warning voice in her ear: “If you look one more time, I can’t guarantee that Inspector Xing Ling will survive.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing looked back in shock, leaning toward Li Guiyu amid the applause and laughter, whispering urgently: “What did you do?”

“Just sit here today.”

Li Guiyu seemed to have figured something out, saying coldly: “You and I will listen to this entire Qinyın Festival, and I won’t pursue anything.”

“Pursue?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help laughing, saying coldly: “What does Your Highness have to pursue regarding me?”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu turned his head. He gripped the pipa tightly, only asking: “On the night of May 17th at the qin pavilion, was it you playing pipa?”

Luo Wanqing’s fingertips trembled. She stared at Li Guiyu without speaking.

Li Guiyu’s heartbeat quickened, momentarily uncertain whether he should continue asking, whether he should have her answer.

He somewhat regretted it—regretted forcing her to come, regretted asking these questions.

What was the point of asking?

If it were her, what would that prove?

Just because she played the pipa didn’t necessarily mean she was Luo Wanqing. What if she had learned it?

Moreover, even if it was Luo Wanqing, so what?

It would just mean killing her again.

But he couldn’t help wanting to ask.

Couldn’t help wanting her to look away, couldn’t help wanting to know if it was her that night.

Why did she play? For whom did she play? Who was the person who pulled her away and ran, and today, the way she looked at Xie Heng…

What exactly was she looking at?

The drumbeats around them intensified. Li Guiyu unconsciously pressed on the pipa strings, staring fixedly at the woman before him. His mind flashed with images of her throwing the lotus flower on the lake surface, pushing down the Five Stone Powder at the Supervision Department, waiting in the morning mist at dawn, running away holding a qin under fireworks.

She didn’t answer.

Li Guiyu’s eyelashes trembled lightly. Seeing Luo Wanqing’s silence, his breathing became rapid.

He suddenly didn’t want to think about anything, lowering his gaze to Luo Wanqing’s fingers resting on the table.

Those hands had thin calluses, completely different from Luo Wanqing’s hands, but looking carefully, they seemed somewhat similar.

He stared at her hands, remembering his youth when he first took Luo Wanqing’s hand on the street.

It was similar to that night.

Also a long street, flower lanterns, he had won an entire street and was walking home with her. When he looked up at the moon in the sky, it was she who took the initiative to reach out, somewhat shyly taking his hand.

He noticed at that moment but didn’t dare look back, only feeling his heartbeat grow infinitely loud, then heard the young girl say softly: “Shaoyan, let’s go home.”

“Take my hand again.”

Li Guiyu suddenly spoke.

Luo Wanqing froze, seeing him place his hand—cut by the pipa—on the table.

The drumbeats grew more urgent. Luo Wanqing stared at him blankly. Li Guiyu stared back intensely: “Hold my hand, and I’ll give you Lu Lingchan.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the drumbeat suddenly broke with a sharp crack!

The drum surface was shattered. Everyone froze, staring up at Xie Heng above.

Xie Heng yanked off the blindfold, looked up to stare directly at Li Guiyu, saying coldly: “Which position?”

Luo Wanqing came to her senses, turning to see the wine cup stop before her.

Her heart was trembling. She hurriedly lowered her head, suppressing her emotions as she took the cup, then respectfully stood up.

As she rose, Li Guiyu lowered his gaze, still not withdrawing his hand. He looked at his palm, listening as Luo Wanqing calmed her emotions and said coolly: “I am Liu Xiniang, greetings to all.”

Her conversation with Li Guiyu hadn’t been loud, but with Xie Heng’s ability to hear flowing water, if he listened deliberately, all their dialogue should have reached his ears.

Li Guiyu mentioning Xing Ling meant he already knew what they were doing, and might have even engaged them.

Xie Heng sending the wine to her now was intended for her to leave and handle things.

She hadn’t expected Li Guiyu to be so persistent. Luo Wanqing was quite grateful that Xie Heng had come.

With him controlling the situation, many things would be much more convenient for her.

This was probably what Cui Heng had guaranteed last night with “sleep well”—though he hadn’t come over, having Xie Heng invited was the greatest assurance.

Thinking of Cui Heng, the thoughts Li Guiyu had stirred settled again.

She didn’t look at Li Guiyu, only bent down to take her qin.

“So it’s Miss Liu,” seeing Luo Wanqing take the qin, Zheng Biyue smiled: “Though Miss Liu came from a salt merchant background, her qin skills are superb, unmatched in the world. That the wine cup could stop before Miss Liu today means we are truly blessed.”

“Miss Zheng, aren’t you talking nonsense?” someone in the crowd laughed: “Your qin is peerless in the Eastern Capital—how could anyone be better?”

“More than that,” Zheng Biyue looked toward the crowd: “Among all present, none could compare. Though Miss Liu’s technique may not necessarily be supreme, she possesses a noble purity beyond us common mortals.”

At these words, someone scoffed audibly.

Talking about noble purity for someone of prisoner origins was rather laughable.

Luo Wanqing listened to their discussion without speaking, calmly carrying her qin to the stage.

Li Guiyu looked up toward Xie Heng, who was having the drum replaced. The two locked gazes briefly before each looked away.

Sitting on the stage with discussion buzzing below, Luo Wanqing didn’t care. Right now, the most important thing is to leave quietly without creating a scene.

Whether she played well or poorly, whether people would mock her, she didn’t care at all.

She wasn’t one of these sheltered young ladies needing a good reputation. If she drew her blade and flashed her Supervision Department badge at these noble children below, no one would care about her Qin skills.

Thinking this, she plucked a string and dry qin notes emerged. Luo Wanqing immediately realized someone had tampered with the qin.

She looked up toward Zheng Biyue, who watched her quietly as if knowing nothing about it.

Luo Wanqing then turned toward Li Guiyu’s direction, only then noticing Wang Yunzhi sitting beside him, watching her with an indifferent expression.

Her gaze was full of knowing awareness. In that instant, Luo Wanqing finally realized who was truly causing trouble here—it was Wang Yunzhi.

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater] Cui Heng: “You all continue your love-hate drama while I’m the only one still reviewing cases. Damn it, you all have romance except me!”

There are still twists regarding past events.